Opposition to campaign finance reform has both substantive and procedural implications. Substantively, one could simply want the ability to affect campaigns and elections. Procedurally, one could have deep ideological commitments to liberty, and to give freely and excessively to whomever one chooses. Given that opposition to campaign finance reform stands at this nexus, the issue provides a good window into examining ideals versus pragmatism. Using probit regression, I use the variation in campaign finance reform laws in the 50 states to examine hypotheses that speak to larger issues within American politics. Namely, I separate the substantive and procedural into different variables, giving us traction on whether those opposed to campaign finance see the issue in terms of liberty, or as a self-sustained struggle to allow people to donate unlimited money.